ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

[ZB9]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/box...ory?id=2866126

im no boxing historian, but does anyone else think this is one of the worst ranking lists they have ever seen?

Tyson at 50? De La Hoya should be ranked pretty high imo, but they have him ranked ahead of Hopkins and Roy Jones? B-Hop and Roy Jones were two of the most dominant fighters ever of their generation, and they arent ranked any higher than #47 and #46? Rocky Marciano is not in the top 10 or top 5? Jake La Motta is ranked too high. Hagler is not ranked high enough. JC Chavez is not ranked high enough. Joe Frazier and George Foreman are not ranked high enough, etc.etc.etc. and there are so many more things wrong with this list imo.

anyway, despite the questionable "rankings" imo on that list, there are some awesome career highlight videos.

[oldpro]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

I agree, who ever does the rankings are lame. Tyson despite his out-of-the ring woes, at least should have been in the top 25.

[thelwig14]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

The list is awful, there is no doubt, but the exclusion of Lennox from the Top 50 should require Kieran to never write about boxing again.

[JayBee74]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

I agree, who ever does the rankings are lame. Tyson despite his out-of-the ring woes, at least should have been in the top 25.

LOL-TOP 25!!???-NO WAY!!!!!!!!
What about his IN RING WOES-like Buster Douglas, Evander, and Lennox??

[Jimplication]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

In his prime, Tyson was the best and most explosive fighter I've ever seen. Easily worthy of a top spot. There was no better in my mind.

[thelwig14]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

Tyson was the best marketing and branding machine I have ever seen and he got as much out of his career that a 5'10 fighter could possibly imagine. But no matter what, unless he grew 6 inches and a Tin Man heart transplant, he would have never beaten Evander or Lennox. Tyson was great, but those two were on a whole different level.

[Brandon13]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

You don't think a prime Tyson could have beaten Holyfield?

[Blaxican8504]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

I don't trust any list that ESPN makes. Their "All-Time" lists usually aren't very good.

[Cebby]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

I don't trust any list that ESPN makes. Their "All-Time" lists usually aren't very good.

3. 2001 Miami
2. 1995 Nebraska
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.
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1. 2005 USC

[thelwig14]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

You don't think a prime Tyson could have beaten Holyfield?

Never. Holyfield's chin was solid, he had an excellent offensive repertoire, he would not allow Tyson to be effective on the inside, his stamina was excellent, and most importantly, he would never back down from Tyson. Tyson would have lost to guys like Tillis and Green but they weren't skilled enough to outpoint him. Tyson would never be able to put himself in a position to outpoint Holyfield, therefore he would have to knock him out which be near impossible. Therefore, Tyson would either implode or quit and get knocked out.

If you would like to know how calculated Tyson was......he only accepted the Holyfield fight after Evander laid an egg the fight before against Bobby Czyz. He thought Evander would be an easy fight.

[Complex]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

You don't think a prime Tyson could have beaten Holyfield?

You could argue that Holyfield did beat Tyson in his prime. IMO he is the only person to legitly (is that a word?) kick Tyson's assets. He stood toe to toe and pummelled him.

[Complex]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

Not a horrible list. I do like the fact the gave props to Willie Pep. Floyd deserves to be where he is, but not by his own fault. There isnt a Hagler, Hearnes etc to really test himself against. Although a fight with Shane would help. DLH has a lot of big names on his resume. RJJ went several years where no one went the distance with him (an impressive feat at any weight class). Sweet Pea is the most gifted fighter I have seen in my life time.

[Blaxican8504]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

3. 2001 Miami
2. 1995 Nebraska
.
.
.
1. 2005 USC

Exactly.

[Brandon13]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

You could argue that Holyfield did beat Tyson in his prime. IMO he is the only person to legitly (is that a word?) kick Tyson's assets. He stood toe to toe and pummelled him.

I don't think he beat a prime Tyson. A prime Tyson lost to Buster Douglas, not to Evander Holyfield. But I agree, Holyfield did beat him down prettly badly in their first fight, leading to Tyson biting his ear off in the second fight.

[JayBee74]

Re: ESPN's "Boxing's greatest" list

In his prime, Tyson was the best and most explosive fighter I've ever seen. Easily worthy of a top spot. There was no better in my mind.

He beat a bunch of tomato cans that withered before he laid a glove on them. He was a good fighter but what TOP SPOT did you have in mind? Certainly nothing in the top 50.